I can confess now that I was keeping a secret, kind of, when I wrote this paean to Los Angeles. Now that The Raven’s most recent job has come to an end, and there’s no further negotiations left to worry about in that department, I don’t have to keep it a secret any longer.

We’re leaving.

It’s one of those opportunity crisis things. We can’t afford to live here on my income alone, and yet it would be nice for The Raven to be able to take some time to figure out what she really wants to do with her life. It’s cheaper in the desert, and though I’ve come to love LA I want to move back to the desert someday anyway, and The Raven likes the desert well enough, and even if she didn’t — she tells me — she’d overlook that to be with me in a place where I want to be.

So we’re moving to the desert.

We’ve been looking for places in Palm Springs, which boasts proximity to Joshua trees (in their eponymous National Park) and art, Mount San Jacinto and gay bars: with this for her and this for me, it seems like a good compromise place for us.  Hopefully we’ll find something good. If not, there’s a whole lot more desert to try.

I wouldn’t have thought, when I moved here two years ago and hated most things about the place, that I’d be melancholy about leaving. But I am. There are people I love here.

So. Now you all know.

1. 
   Dana 2010 12 15 at 12:21:08 am

   My husband and I are facing one of those opportunity crisis things, too. We’ll see how it plays out. Good luck with your move.

2. 
   Bill 2010 12 15 at 7:16:41 am

   Can’t imagine how anyone would miss the city, but then again, I’ve never lived long term in an urban area.  In any case good luck in your new environs, it seem obvious that you love the desert and are passionate about its ecology.  Good luck with all of that.

3. 
   beth 2010 12 15 at 8:55:30 am

   Best wishes and good luck to both of you…

4. 
   Kevin 2010 12 15 at 9:07:54 am

   Hey Chris! Good news! We will visit you in Palm Springs. LA was just too sacry to drive in!

5. 
   Laura Cunningham 2010 12 15 at 9:36:10 am

   I really like Palm Springs, good restaurants, things to do, desert right next door. Wish I lived close to that city instead of close to Vegas.

6. 
   annietiques 2010 12 15 at 1:28:31 pm

   Welcome!!!  Wishing you both good luck and love!!!

   Just a short uphill drive to the Hi-Desert…

7. 
   Chris P. 2010 12 15 at 9:28:24 pm

   I’m just really, really pleased for you guys to be taking that step. I’m wishing many wonderful things in your joint future.

   Is there any chance Roscoe’s would let you open a desert franchise, do you think?

8. 
   Bob B 2010 12 16 at 11:02:17 am

   Good luck to you Chris,
   Bob

9. 
   Lee Murray 2010 12 16 at 9:24:53 pm

   You’re moving away and I’m moving to, well to Orange Co., from NY. Everything in balance.

   Lee Murray

10. 
    blissing 2010 12 22 at 11:30:46 am

    Good luck on your move.  Thanks for mentioning the oft-maligned Oakland!  I live in the hills here and love it.  Also love, and fantasize about, living in the desert (on short trips we take).